About PAW 2026

PAW 2026 is a high-level event showcasing the responsible development of energy and, mining projects, solutions and technologies to support thriving healthy communities for a sustainable future, which is in line with the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The PAW 2026 Congress on “Critical Connections: The path to responsible minerals, sustainable energy and healthy and thriving communities” will bring together thought leaders of government, academia, industry, civil society, Indigenous groups, investors, innovators and community organizations to discuss the latest developments of critical minerals, examine emerging technologies to build secure value-added supply chains with Indigenous rights, environmental justice and community prosperity, and explore policies and partnership models to advance and streamline clean technologies, energy transition, emissions and reductions in Canada and the world. The Congress will also reflect on Canada’s place in the world in sustainable and responsible discovery for development in the critical minerals and energy sector.

The Congress will inform, educate and support an environment of interactive dialogue and discussion to stimulate further partnership and collaboration and will include fireside chats, student poster presentations, mix of keynote and panel presentations focused on themes related to critical minerals, sustainable energy and health.

Focus areas for PAW 2026 include:

  • Economic growth
  • Energy transition
  • National security
  • Sustainable and responsible development
  • Innovation and processing
  • Supply chains
  • Partnership
  • Health
  • Thriving communities

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Subscribe for the latest details about PAW 2026, including early-bird registration dates, speaker information and more! 

Registration

PAW 2026 Registration Refund Policy:
(Subject to change prior to registration opening for 2026)

  • 100% Refund: A full refund, minus administrative fees, will be provided for cancellations made up to 4 weeks prior to registration closing.
  • 50% Refund: A 50% refund, minus administrative fees, will be provided for cancellations made between 4 weeks and 2 weeks prior to registration closing.
  • No Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 2 weeks of registration closing.
  • Administrative Fees: Administrative fees are non-refundable and cover costs associated with processing and handling the registration and cancellation.
  • Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made in writing and received within the applicable time frames to qualify for a refund. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket refund.
  • Refund Process: Refunds will be processed within 7 business days from the date of cancellation approval.
  • Ticket Transfer: Tickets are always transferable to a different name. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket transfer.

More information to come.

Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition

The Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition will once again take place during the PAW 2026 Congress.

The Student Poster Competition allows PAW 2026 to highlight and uplift student researchers conducting research related to the PAW 2026 Congress theme, Critical Connections: The path to responsible minerals, sustainable energy and healthy and thriving communities. It is open to all students conducting research in areas related to critical minerals, sustainable energy, health, communities, environmental sciences, sustainability, digital technologies and the social sciences to explore creative and accessible solutions to support planetary health.

Students are eligible if they are:

  • USask student – Graduate or Undergraduate (degree-seeking, exchange, VRS, visiting, etc.) or PDFs
  • Conducting research with a USask faculty member
  • International Student registered for PAW 2026
  • Can highlight their research is connected to one of the SDGs

More details will be announced in the coming months regarding the application process. For questions, please contact international.office@usask.ca. 

FAQs

PAW 2026 will take place October 20-22, 2026 on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) main campus located in Saskatoon, SK. An evening reception will take place at a location within the city. Please see Congress Program for more details once avaliable.

All conference registration details will be outlined under the 'Registration' tab.

Registration will open Spring 2026.

Once open, reigstration may be completed by following the link under the 'Registration' tab.

Congress attendees travelling to Saskatoon are encouraged to take advantage of discounted block rates at select local hotels. More information to come. 

Additional tickets for the evening reception may be available depending on final numbers. If you are interested in additional tickets please email international.office@usask.ca.

A virtual option will not be available for PAW 2026.

If you have additional questions not addressed above, please contact international.office@usask.ca

Thank you to our PAW 2025 sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

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Gold Sponsors

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Silver Sponsors

 

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Bronze Sponsors

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Student Prize Sponsor

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Sponsorship

Sponsor the PAW 2026 International Congress in Saskatoon, October 20-22, 2026! Align your brand with this year's theme, connect with global experts, and drive meaningful change. Join us in making a world of difference.

Please contact international.office@usask.ca if you are interested in becoming an official sponsor of PAW 2026. 

Congress Resources

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

The United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Our University Plan 2025 commits us to be “The University the World Needs”. This means harnessing our talents and resources to respond to contemporary challenges and opportunities. The Critical Path to Sustainability strategy lays out an ambitious set of five goals and 17 actions that responds to these challenges and opportunities. We commit to achieving them by 2030, aligning with the Agenda Sustainable Development Goals.

This framework contains the voices, experiences and expectations of many equity-deserving groups. It is an expression of hope and courage – one that must be met by the courage and determination of a university community committed to becoming what the world needs.
The Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement works within and outside the university to meet the unique needs of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and communities and uplift Indigenization by advancing initiatives and strategies that promotes Indigenous Knowledges and supports reconciliation and decolonization.